Bill was born in Shannondale, Pennsylvania on November 21, 1924 to Ralph and Mary (Bish) Champion.   Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ruth (Cherry) Lesh, his sister, Mary Huber and his brother, Hilton Champion. Bill married Charlene (Veir) Champion in 1989. He is survived by his wife, Charlene, daughters, Susan and Carol Champion, Deborah Porter (Rob), Linda A. Donnels (Chuck) and Bonnie Dayhoff (John); his sister, Ina Coleman; grandchildren, Jason Costello (Karina) and Jeannie Meredith (Brady); Ben, Becky and Brett Porter; Kassie and Madisyn Donnels; Maddie and Weston Dayhoff; great grandchildren, Gabriella, Aidan, and Ethan Costello and Zander Meredith.   Bill joined the Army Air Corps in June 1943 and became an aviation cadet.  He got his pilot wings and commission in December, 1944. He was assigned as a Fighter Pilot flying the P40, P47, and P51.  Bill “Champ” Champion started flying “Jet Fighters” in 1950; flying the F80, F86, F101, F102, and F106.  His duties included Flight Commander, Operations Officer, Squadron Commander, Instructor Pilot, and major air command staff positions. Bill was a decorated Command Pilot, serving during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, flying 100 missions during the Korean War.  Much of his nearly 6000 hours of flying time was as an Instructor Pilot. Bill was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with Cluster while serving with the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Korea, as well as multiple other medals during his distinguished career. Bill’s final assignment was the Air Defense Command, from which he retired in 1970.  He went on to be an insurance broker after retirement from the United States Air Force.   Bill’s family was the love of his life, especially dear to him were the holiday and family birthday celebrations. His hobbies include hunting, dancing and horseback riding. Bill was loved by his entire family and adored by his wife, Charlene. He was genuine, devout, and truly special man, a mentor and hero, a loving father and a model husband. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.   Visitation was from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, August 22, 2011 at Evergreen Funeral Home, 1830 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910.     Funeral services was at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.      Interment with full military honors will immediately follow the church services at Evergreen Cemetery  1005 S. Hancock Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.      At his request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill’s honor be made to the First United Methodist Church 420 N. Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 or to Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs, 2320 W. Colorado Avenue, P.O. Box 6300, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904 or through the following website https://www.goodwill-colosprings.org/make-a-gift/give-online.